Corner clamp and method for providing a suspension point in a three-dimensional space

ABSTRACT

A corner clamp for clamping thereof between two surfaces substantially at right angles to each other includes a first rigid element having a first outer end for supporting, optionally via a contact member which can be fixed thereto, on a first of the two surfaces; a second rigid element having a second outer end for supporting, optionally via a contact member coupled thereto, on a second of the two surfaces. The second element is coupled pivotally to the first element at a pivot point. The corner clamp has one or more placing states in which the elements are positioned such that, when clamped in the corner, the pivot point is situated between the corner and a straight line running from the first outer end to the second outer end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a corner clamp and method for hangingarticles in a space. The corner clamp can for instance be used to hangpaintings against the wall.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to hang an article such as a painting use is often made ofhooks, nails or screws which are hammered or screwed into the wall. Whenscrews are used a hole is first drilled, after which a plug is forinstance inserted. If the painting must be moved or removed, damage tothe wall remains. An alternative is to use a rail system wherein thepaintings can be moved in simple manner. The necessity of drilling intothe wall remains however, with the associated damage.

Patent publication DE102006034343 A1 describes a corner clamp which inan embodiment comprises two rigid elements which are attached to eachother at a pivot point. The clamp can be fixed in a corner between forinstance a wall and a ceiling. The corner clamp serves as suspensionsystem for decorations and paintings. A drawback of such a corner clampis that it comes away from the corner quite easily and that the possibleapplications are therefore very limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cornerclamp.

This object is achieved with a corner clamp for clamping thereof betweentwo surfaces substantially at right angles to each other, including:

-   -   a first rigid element having a first outer end for supporting,        optionally via a contact member which can be fixed thereto, on a        first of the two surfaces;    -   a second rigid element having a second outer end for supporting,        optionally via a contact member coupled thereto, on a second of        the two surfaces, wherein the second element is coupled        pivotally to the first element at a pivot point;    -   wherein the corner clamp has one or more placing states in which        the elements are positioned such that, when clamped in the        corner, the pivot point is situated between the corner and a        straight line running from the first outer end to the second        outer end.

When a force away from the corner is exerted on the pivot point, theelements of the corner clamp tend to spread further. They will herebybecome fixed in or against the surfaces. The force away from the cornercan be caused by hanging an article via for instance a cord at asuitable position of the corner clamp. The suitable position can be thepivot point itself, but can also be a fastening member coupled to one ofthe rigid elements.

Clamping the corner clamp creates in simple manner an attachment pointfrom which an article can be suspended. Substantially no damage iscaused here to the walls or the ceiling. The clamp is easy to mount andalso easy to remove again. The clamp can be attached at differentlocations and is highly multi-functional.

During placing of the clamp the elements must be pivoted relative toeach other such that the pivot point, as seen from the corner formed bythe surfaces, does not pass beyond an imaginary straight line runningthrough the two contact points of the clamp with the surfaces. If thepivot point passes (or is) beyond this line, the clamp will come awayfrom the corner. The pivot point must however not be placed too far intothe corner either, because the normal forces on the surfaces at thecontact points can then become too small.

In a preferred embodiment the corner clamp includes a tensioning memberwhich is adapted to spread the elements. The advantage hereof is thatthe clamp clamps itself fixedly and remains in the corner even withoutan article being hung. In an embodiment the tensioning member comprisesa torsion spring arranged in or round the pivot point.

The elements are preferably of identical form, whereby the whole clampcan be made in economic manner.

The elements can for instance consist of curved rods or curved elongateplates. The curving results in a configuration which facilitates theclamping of the clamp. It is noted that the rods can also be straight.The elements can also include rods with two straight parts placed at anangle. It is also possible to envisage the rigid elements being widerthan they are long.

In a special embodiment the outer ends of the rigid elements aretapering. The elements preferably include metal legs which penetrate tosome extent with their sharp, tapering outer ends into the surfaces. Itis noted that no damage, or at least very little damage, is howevercaused here to the walls and ceilings. This depends of course on thequality of the walls and on the forces exerted on the clamp.

In another embodiment a first and/or second contact member are mountedpivotally on respectively the first and second rigid element. Thecontact members have a contact surface for making contact with theassociated surface, wherein the contact surfaces comprise one or moreof:

-   -   rubber;    -   gel;    -   gecko adhesive strip;    -   sandpaper;    -   spikes;    -   suction cups;    -   adhesive.

Said materials have a relatively high friction coefficient with stone orconcrete. A material is preferably used which has a friction coefficientwith a value above 1.0, and more preferably above 1.2.

In an embodiment the second outer end has an outer end which is angularas seen from above, so that it can be placed in a corner of two verticalwalls, wherein the first outer end is placed against a ceiling. Thisembodiment makes possible a suspension system which can be placedprecisely in a corner of a room.

In an embodiment the corner clamp comprises a fastening member forfastening the article, such as a painting, for instance via a cord.

In a special embodiment the first element comprises a first arm and asecond arm which are defined by the pivot point, wherein the first armends at the first outer end and wherein the fastening member is arrangedin or on the second arm. The second arm functions as a kind of lever,wherein the force exerted on the fastening member, usually verticallydownward, is converted into a greater force on the pivot point. Theclamp will hereby already be clamped firmly in the corner even withouttensioning member and in the case of relatively light articles forhanging.

The second arm of the first element preferably has a length such that,at least in use, the fastening member is positioned close to the surfacewith which the second contact member comes into contact. A cord canhereby be arranged closely along the wall so that for instance apainting comes to hang against the wall, and not at a distancetherefrom.

In a further embodiment the corner clamp comprises an elongate thirdelement to which the fastening member is coupled, and wherein the thirdelement is directed obliquely upward during use and can support on avertical corner of a space.

It is noted that a fastening member is not essential to the invention.The clamp can for instance also be combined with a platform on which anobject can be placed. In that case the corner clamp is placed betweentwo vertical walls and a suspended corner table is created.

The invention also relates to a method for providing a suspension pointin a three-dimensional space. The first surface can be a first wall ofthe space and the second surface a second wall of the space.

In an embodiment the method further includes:

-   -   clamping a second corner clamp in a corner formed by a third and        a fourth surface, and    -   tensioning a cord between the first corner clamp and the second        corner clamp.

In this way a cord is tensioned along for instance a wall or a ceilingof a room, which cord can be used to hang articles on. Such a method canadvantageously be used in for instance museums.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention willbe further elucidated on the basis of a description of severalembodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a corner clamp according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 shows the corner clamp of FIG. 1 in a corner between a ceilingand a wall;

FIG. 3 shows schematically the clamp of FIG. 1, wherein the forceexerted by the article is drawn;

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the clamp wherein a third element, such asan extending rod, is present;

FIG. 5 shows the use of two clamping systems according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the clamp;

FIG. 7 shows schematically a further embodiment of the clamp, arrangedin a corner;

FIG. 8 shows a contact member of the clamp according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a clamp with curved plates which here makecontact with the wall and the ceiling with their outer ends; and

FIG. 10 shows an underside of an embodiment of a corner table whichsupports on a corner clamp clamped between two vertical walls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows schematically a corner clamp 1 according to an embodimentof the invention. Corner clamp 1 comprises two elongate rigid elements2,3 which are connected pivotally to each other at a pivot point 4. Theword rigid is understood to mean that elements 2,3 are not flexible, atleast not as a result of forces which occur during normal use. In theexample of FIG. 1 elements 2,3 are connected via a metal bolt, althoughthe skilled person will appreciate that many other options are possible.In this embodiment elements 2,3 consist of curved metal flat rods 2,3.Other forms and materials are possible. Element 2 has two arms 2A,2B andelement 3 has two arms 3A,3B, see FIG. 1. Element 3 comprises afastening member 5 which consists of a hole 5 arranged in flat metal rod3. Also present in this embodiment is a second fastening member 6 whichis arranged in arm 2B, see hole 6.

Corner clamp 1 further comprises two springs 7,8 which are arrangedbetween elements 2,3 as shown in FIG. 1. Typical dimensions of thelength of rods 2,3 are between 15-30 cm, and thicknesses between 0.2-2cm. Other dimensions can be envisaged. Nor is the invention limited tothe use of elongate rods. All elements with which pivot point 4 can bepositioned at the correct location, and wherein there is sufficient gripon the surfaces, will suffice.

FIG. 2 shows an example of clamp 1 in the position of use. Clamp 1 isarranged here in a corner between a ceiling 20 and a wall 21. Attachedto fastening member 6 is a cord 22 from which is suspended a frame 23.The outer ends of elements 2, 3 are pointed and exert a friction forceon wall 21 and ceiling 20 such that clamp 1 fixes (clamps) itself in thecorner. System 1 can be used to hang diverse articles. Ceiling 20 andwall 21 are not damaged here, or hardly so, as is often the case in theprior art hanging of articles, wherein a hole is for instance made inthe wall. Clamp 1 will become more firmly clamped between the twosurfaces due to the article load, whereby even relatively heavy articlescan be hung. As a result, the force away from the corner willcontinuously increase as the load produced by hanging the articleincreases. Corner clamp 1 is particularly suitable for (temporary)hanging of for instance articles for decoration, photo frames and so on.

Clamp 1 can be quickly arranged vertically (or horizontally) in andremoved from a corner in one operation without further accessories andwithout fixation, so wholly without fixing means and without damage, orwith only minimal damage, to the surfaces.

In an embodiment the force required for holding clamp 1 in place isachieved in the first instance by means of the spring force of atensioning member, such as a torsion spring. This spring is hereattached in or round pivot point 4 by means of for instance a split pinor the like, and can exert its spreading forces against for instanceprotrusions arranged on elements 2,3.

FIG. 3 shows schematically clamp 1, wherein the force exerted by thearticle is drawn. The thicknesses of elements 2, 3 are not shown herefor the sake of clarity. The weight of the suspended article 23 onfastening member 6 at the outer end of element 2 will produce a forceF_(L), see FIG. 3. Owing to a lever action of element 2 the force F_(L)will result in a greater force on pivot point 4, which is converted to aforce which presses two outer ends 31, 32 against respectively wall 21and ceiling 20. Because fastening member 6 is situated at the end of arm2B of element 2 the cord, and so article 23, can be positioned close towall 21. As a result, the first rigid element 2 and the second rigidelement 3 support on the surfaces 20, 21 in an outwardly directedclamping action.

Clamp 1 only works when there is sufficient grip of outer ends 31,32 onthe associated surfaces. The grip depends on the friction force, whichin turn depends on the force exerted by clamp 1. The grip can beincreased by for instance making outer ends 31,32 sharp. In anotherembodiment the corner clamp comprises contact members in the form ofso-called “feet” with a rough surface, made for instance of rubber, gel,sandpaper, spikes, suction cups or an adhesive. A so-called geckoadhesive strip can also be used. Such an adhesive strip adheres verywell to diverse flat surfaces, such as plastic or glass, see forinstance “Climbing rough vertical surfaces with hierarchical directionaladhesion”, Alan Asbeck, Sanjay Dastoor, Aaron Farness, Laurel Fullerton,Noe Esparza Daniel Soto, Barrett Heyneman, Mark Cutkosky; StanfordUniversity, Stanford, Calif. 94305.

In FIG. 3, 33 indicates a line between outer ends 31,32. Pivot point 4must not be positioned beyond this line, since otherwise the clamp comesloose.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of clamp 1 with a third element, such as anextending rod 40 having thereon a ring 41 serving as attachment point.

In this example rod 40 is inserted into a tube 42, wherein tube 42 isfixed to a pivot member in or at pivot point 4. The two elements 2,3 areclamped under tension in the corner between two walls 44,45. Elements2,3 are supported by tube 42, which is placed in the corner of two walls44 and 45. In FIG. 4 reference numeral 47 shows a tension spring whichpushes the two elements 2,3 apart and against the surfaces (walls). Alsoshown is a setting screw, see 48, which can be tightened so that rod 40is fixed relative to tube 42.

FIG. 5 shows the use of two systems between which a cord is tensioned.The tensioned cord produces the forces caused in the above statedembodiments by the article 23 for hanging. FIG. 5 shows a top view ofthree walls of a room with a possible configuration, wherein a firstclamp 1 and a second clamp 50 are placed in a horizontal plane with acord 51 therebetween. Article 23 can then be hung from cord 51. Ifclamps 1,50 are not provided with their own tensioning member, cord 51must be tensioned so that cord 51 secures clamps 1,50 in their corner.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of clamp 1 wherein article 23 is fastened toclamp 1 using two fastening members 61,62. The article is for instance aphoto frame or a mirror. In this embodiment clamp 1 will be largelyconcealed from view by the placed article.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of clamp 1 with a first element 71 and asecond element 72. Elements 71 and 72 can be of different length. Thepivot point is designated with 75. Clamp 1 comprises two contact members73,74 which consist in this case of feet with a rough contact surface.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of supports 73,74, which here each consist ofa half-round body 81 with a number of sharp metal tips 82 arranged onbody 81 on the side of the contact surface. If the feet of one of orboth elements 71,72 must make contact with smooth surfaces, a rubber (orgel) cap (shoe) can be placed over the existing foot with the fine,sharp tips in order to protect the surface and to prevent sliding off. Aplate is preferably placed in the rubber cap in order to prevent thefine, sharp tips being able to pierce the gel. The outer ends of the twolegs of the cap can here be bent slightly inward for fixing to the foot.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a corner clamp with two curved plates 2,3,which here make contact with wall 21 and ceiling 20 with their outerends. At their contact points with wall 21 and ceiling 20 the curvedplates 2,3 are preferably provided with a sawtooth or one or more spikeswhich pierce the relevant surfaces to some extent. In the example ofFIG. 9 the plates are about 8 cm wide. Other dimensions can beenvisaged, such as for instance between 2-20 cm. The advantage of theuse of wide plates (for instance wider than 2 cm) relative to the rodsof FIG. 2 is that clamp 1 can be arranged in more stable manner.

Present in one of the plates is an opening 91 through which runs a cord92. In this way the cord can be attached in the centre of the clamp at afastening point 93 and an article (not shown) such as a frame can besuspended from a suspension point 94.

FIG. 10 shows an underside of an embodiment of a corner table 100 whichsupports on a corner clamp which is clamped between two vertical walls44,45. Elements 2,3 are clamped between the walls by means of a pushspring 101. Depending on the embodiment, a vase or other object can beplaced on table 100.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis ofseveral preferred embodiments. Different aspects of differentembodiments are deemed described in combination thereof, wherein allcombinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of thisdocument should be included. These preferred embodiments are notlimitative for the scope of protection of this text. The rights soughtare defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A corner clamp for supporting an articleclampable between two surfaces substantially at right angles to eachother and defining a corner therebetween by spreading to become fixedagainst the surfaces by a force away from the corner, comprising: afirst rigid element comprising a first outer end for supporting on afirst of the two surfaces; a second rigid element comprising a secondouter end supportable on a second of the two surfaces, wherein thesecond element is coupled pivotally to the first element at a pivotpoint; wherein the corner clamp has one or more placing states in whichthe first rigid element and the second rigid element are positioned suchthat, when clamped in the corner, the pivot point is situated betweenthe corner and a straight line running from the first outer end to thesecond outer end, the corner clamp comprising means for, when in aplacing state, exerting a force away from the corner on the pivot point,the force being exerted by hanging the article from a fastening member;and wherein the force away from the corner continuously increases as aload produced by hanging, the article increases.
 2. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a tensioning member which is adapted tospread the first rigid element and the second rigid element.
 3. Thecorner clamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tensioning membercomprises a torsion spring arranged in or round the pivot point.
 4. Thecorner clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first rigid element andthe second rigid element are of identical form.
 5. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first rigid element and the second rigidelement comprise one or more of: curved rods; curved elongate plates; orrods with two straight parts placed at an angle.
 6. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first outer end and the second outer endare tapering.
 7. The corner clamp as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a first contact member and a second contact member mountedpivotally on respectively the first rigid element and the second rigidelement.
 8. The corner clamp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the firstcontact member and the second contact member comprise a contact surfacefor making contact with the associated surfaces, wherein the contactsurfaces comprise one or more of: rubber; gel; gecko adhesive strip;sandpaper; spikes; suction cups; or adhesive.
 9. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the second outer end has an outer end whichis angular as seen from above, so that it can be placed in a corner oftwo vertical walls, wherein the first outer end is placed against aceiling.
 10. The corner clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefastening member is for fastening the article.
 11. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the first element comprises a first arm anda second arm which are defined by the pivot point, wherein the first armends at the first outer end and wherein the fastening member is arrangedin or on the second arm.
 12. The corner clamp as claimed in claim 11,wherein the second arm of the first element has a length such that, atleast in use, the fastening member is positioned close to the surfacewith which a second contact member comes into contact.
 13. The cornerclamp as claimed in claim 10, wherein the corner clamp further comprisesan elongate third element to which the fastening member is coupled, andwherein the third element is directed obliquely upward during use andcan support on a vertical corner of a space.
 14. The corner clamp asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a platform for supporting anobject.
 15. A method for supporting an article by providing a suspensionpoint in a three-dimensional space between two surfaces substantially atright angles to each other and defining a corner therebetween byspreading to become fixed against the surfaces by a force away from thecorner, comprising the step of: clamping a first corner clamp as in acorner formed by a first and a second surface by means of, when in aplacing state, exerting a force away from the corner on the pivot point,the force being exerted by hanging the article from a fastening member,wherein the force away from a corner continuously increases as the loadproduced by hanging the article creases.
 16. The method as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the first surface is a ceiling of the space and thesecond surface is a wall of the space.
 17. The method as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the first surface is a first wall of the space and thesecond surface is a second wall of the space.
 18. The method as claimedin claim 15, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: clampinga second corner clamp in a corner formed by a third and a fourthsurface; and tensioning a cord between the first corner clamp and thesecond corner clamp.
 19. A corner clamp for supporting an articleclampable between two surfaces substantially at right angles to eachother and defining a corner therebetween by spreading to become fixedagainst the surfaces by a force away from the corner, comprising: afirst rigid element comprising a first outer end for supporting on afirst of the two surfaces; a second rigid element comprising a secondouter end supportable on a second of the two surfaces, wherein thesecond element is coupled pivotally to the first element at a pivotpoint; wherein the corner clamp has one or more placing states in whichthe first rigid element and the second rigid element are positioned suchthat, when clamped in the corner, the pivot point is situated betweenthe corner and a straight line running from the first outer end to thesecond outer end, the corner clamp comprising means for, when in aplacing state, exerting a force away from the corner on the pivot point,the force being exerted by hanging the article from a fastening member,wherein the fastening member is for fastening the article, and whereinthe first element comprises a first arm and a second arm which aredefined by the pivot point, wherein the first arm ends at the firstouter end and wherein the fastening member is arranged in or on thesecond arm.
 20. The corner clamp as claimed in claim 19, wherein thesecond arm of the first element has a length such that, at least in use,the fastening member is positioned close to the surface with which asecond contact member comes into contact.